Aragonés takes Spain reins
Thursday, July 1, 2004
Article summary
Luis Aragonés has been named as the new coach of Spain, replacing Iñaki Sáez who stepped down after Spain's early elimination from UEFA EURO 2004™.
Article body
Luis Aragonés has been named coach of Spain. The former RCD Mallorca coach takes over from Iñaki Sáez who stepped down after Spain's early elimination from UEFA EURO 2004™.
Two-year deal
"I want to confirm that we have decided to appoint Luis Aragonés to the post of Spain coach," Spanish Football Federation president Angel María Villar told a news conference in Madrid today.
Venezuela friendly
"He will take charge of the team for approximately the next two years through to the 2006 [FIFA] World Cup." His first match in charge will be the friendly against Venezuela on 18 August, before Spain open their World Cup qualifying campaign against Bosnia-Herzegovina on 8 September.
Raúl's blessing
Aragonés, who represented Spain in his playing days, is the most experienced coach in the Primera División, having led eight clubs in a record 757 matches over a 30-year period, and his appointment has been welcomed by Spain captain Raúl González. "Luis deserved this recognition, which comes as a reward for a brilliant professional career," the Real Madrid CF striker said. "Everyone strives to get to this position, no one more so than Luis Aragonés for whom this is the culmination of a life dedicated to football."
Respected and popular
Aragonés, widely respected and popular in Spain, was released from his contract at Mallorca, whom he led to eleventh place in the league and to the UEFA Cup fourth round last season, so he could accept a job he has turned down twice before. His name was last mentioned in connection with the Spanish post after the 2002 World Cup.
Title success
Aragonés's greatest success as a coach came when he won the Primera División in 1977 at Club Atlético de Madrid, a club where he had four separate spells. Aragonés, who turns 66 later this month, also won the Spanish Cup three times with Atlético and once with another of his old clubs, FC Barcelona. His coaching CV also includes spells at Real Betis Balompié, Real Oviedo, Valencia CF, RCD Espanyol and Sevilla FC.
'Bright future'
Aragonés said before his appointment that he was confident Spain had a bright future despite their most recent setback in Portugal. "The most important thing is that Spain have a young side, with an average age of 24," he said. "That is down to Iñaki Sáez and no one can take that away from him."
Early exit
